There is no question that Sugar Ray Leonard is a champion. As one of the greatest boxers of all time, with a career spanning 20 years, Leonard won world titles in five weight divisions and lineal championships in three weight divisions. Needless to say, when catering his 60th birthday, we knew we couldn’t take it easy.

The event was hosted at a private residence in Beverly Hills. A beautiful clear-tented canopy, provided by Premiere Party Rents, set the stage, as twinkling lights were draped across the top. Guests first dined on Plantain Chips, topped with shredded BBQ Scented Chicken and a Pineapple Salsa, and our Black Mission Fig Melt with Caramelized Onions and Parsley, before convening under the tent for a multi-course meal that included plated salads, family style sides and butlered entrees. A traditional birthday cake and vanilla ice cream closed out the evening.

If you’ve ever been to the Gulls Way Estate in Malibu, you would agree the views from the bluffs are unbeatable. Tucked away from the Pacific Coast Highway, this eleven-acre paradise once belonged to the late Dick Clarke. Now, the property, which boasts a front main house and guesthouse, serves as a venue, including hosting only four weddings a year.

Sara and Jared looked as though they jumped out of a storybook. Allowing the venue to speak for itself, the carefully thought-out accents of lush green and sophisticated ivories and whites highlighted the romantic nature of their special day.

Greeted with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, guests watched as Sara and Jared exchanged their vows under an ornate white floral chuppah. Once the glass was stomped, guests were treated passed champagne and wine, along with six tray passed hors d’oeuvres, including out Hamachi Ceviche served on a Purple Potato Chip with Ginger and Chive, and Ricotta Toast, topped with Marinated Strawberries, Clover Honey, and Micro Basil. Mediterranean Antipasti and Cheese Stations filled out the cocktail hour.

Photo: Gary Ashley Photo @garyashleyphoto

For dinner, guests began with a fresh Grilled Tenerelli Orchard Pears and Kale Salad, mixed with Watermelon Radish, Persian Cucumber, Creamy Burrata, and Pistachios, all tossed in a Citrus Vinaigrette. For entrees, guests were given a choice of a Soya & Honey Glazed Sea Bass, a Honey Roasted Chicken Breast, or Slow Braised Short Ribs, served with Charred Corn, Shitake Mushrooms and Chives. Dessert consisted of Bread Pudding and a Spiced Chocolate Cake. Finally, at the end of the night, guests walked away with a small takeaway consisting of Avocado Bruschetta and our Black Mission Fig Brie Melt.

And candles melted to a romantic glow and the music slowed down, our couple and final guests danced into the night, happy, smiling and completely in love.

Tastings are a great way to meet a couple and learn who they are and get their story, but it’s also a time to have them try out their options, give opinions, and select a finalized menu for their wedding. We had a great tasting with Bruna and Danny in January. While they absolutely loved the food, they did have a few notes that we changed for their meal. For instance, they are sensitive to sweetness, so on our Bruschetta with roasted Bartlett Pear, Brie, and Fine Herbs, we opted to remove the honey drizzle. Other notes included adding olives to the bride’s salad, adding charred corn to their second dish, and presentation notes for the final course. It is so important for us to get that feedback so we can put any worries to rest and make their meal exactly what they want.

Sometimes simple is better; clean lines, bold flavors, and sophisticated presentation. When the food and fashion collide, it is important to represent a brand to its truest nature. When working with the luxury brand, Valentino, we took everything under consideration while crafting the menu. Of course we wanted it to be delicious, but we wanted the food to be fanciful yet understated, much like the early designs of Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, the line’s original designer, who is known for his chic one-color collections, such as “Valentino Red” and “No Color” collections.

Our menu, comprised of Passed Hors D’oeuvres and Desserts, entertained the guests, comprised of Social Influencers, mimicked the simple, yet striking designs of the Maxfield boutique courtyard. This was truly a fabulous event for the fabulous client.

Hosting an event really starts by picking the venue, as it can really set the tone for the entire evening. Since Los Angeles is so populated with special occasions, it gets difficult to find a location where people haven’t been that’s still exciting. The good new is, because we are part of an ever growing city, there are always really cool new sites being built or found where people can hold events. This was the case when we catered an event for an Ultimate Ears.

Ultimate Ears is a local company who specializes speaker production, including in-ear monitors, speakers, and ear phones; their newest innovation is a waterproof wireless Bluetooth speaker that can hook up to existing platforms like Alexa. With a sleek and colorful design, the company looks to stand out against all its competitors.

Because of this, the event had to be cool and different. The Row is a new development of industrial workspaces set just outside Downtown Los Angeles. Comprised of multiple buildings with exposed materials, high ceilings, massive windows, and overlooking DTLA with an unparalleled view, the location is perfect for art exhibits, sample sales, food trucks and festivals; it’s definitely a cool location.

With seventy social media influencers attending, the stage was set for the perfect event. Our menu was classic yet flashy, much like the product they were unveiling. Guests dined on four passed apps, including our crisp Bacon wrapped Medjool Dates with shredded Duck and a Cranberry drizzle, and sipped two specialty cocktails. The event, which went from 7pm until 10pm, allowing the buildings of downtown to twinkle from dusk into evening, was a complete success.